Shloka 17
Adhyāya 119: Vyāsa–Kīṭa-saṃvāda
Tapas-bala and karmic ascent across yoni
दुष्करं च रसज्ञाने मांसस्य परिवर्जनम् | चर्तु व्रतमिदं श्रेष्ठ सर्वप्राण्यभयप्रदम्
Bhīṣma uvāca: duṣkaraṁ ca rasajñāne māṁsasya parivarjanam | catur-vratam idaṁ śreṣṭhaṁ sarva-prāṇy-abhaya-pradam ||
Bhīṣma berkata: Bagi orang yang telah mengenal dan menikmati rasa daging, meninggalkannya memang sukar. Namun ikrar empat bahagian ini adalah yang tertinggi, kerana ia mengurniakan rasa aman tanpa takut kepada semua makhluk bernyawa.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even if abstaining from meat is difficult for someone accustomed to its taste, the ethical ideal is to undertake the highest discipline that ensures non-harm—granting safety and fearlessness to all living beings.
In the Anushasana Parva’s dharma-instruction setting, Bhishma continues advising on righteous conduct, emphasizing the moral excellence of vows grounded in ahimsa and the challenge of overcoming sensory attachment.